Join a dynamic panel of Louisiana leaders as they share their experiences advancing child care and early learning policies and investments through collaboration, coalition-building, and community input. This conversation brings together diverse perspectives from the lens of Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) organizations, child care providers, advocacy groups, and state and local government to explore how aligning efforts has strengthened partnerships, influenced policy, and created lasting change for children and families in Louisiana. 

As the child care crisis continues, some policymakers are turning to quick fixes—like raising child–staff ratios—that may do more harm than good. In this plenary session, Dr. Walter Gilliam will break down the hidden risks of these proposals, explore the real costs of stretching educators too thin, and the impractical training demands such changes would create. 

Most importantly, this session will highlight what CCR&Rs can do to push back against shortsighted solutions and champion policies that keep quality—and children—at the center of this important work. Attendees will leave with the data, context, and actionable strategies needed to engage effectively in policy conversations and community planning. 

Continue the conversation with Louisiana leaders in this interactive breakout session focused on local and state efforts to strengthen child care and early learning systems. Building on the insights shared during the plenary, this session offers a deeper dive into the strategies and lessons learned shared by the panel and offers attendees an opportunity to engage in discussion around how similar approaches can be applied in their own communities.

Join CCAoA’s Practice Team Leaders for a conversation about current experiences as CCR&R leaders.  Together, we’ll explore current leadership challenges in the CCR&R space, highlighting many of the unique experiences of our organizations.  With specific emphasis on strategic decision-making, technological needs, and the need to engage in adaptive leadership practices.  

As communities invest in economic development, the availability and sustainability of child care becomes a critical infrastructure need.  This session explores the intersection of economic growth strategies, child care supply building, and the unique needs of child care providers. Through case studies, policy insights, and provider perspectives, attendees will gain practical strategies for aligning funding, planning, and support mechanisms to ensure child care providers are equipped to meet growing demand while maintaining quality and sustainability. 

In today’s challenging landscape, effective leadership is about more than strategy—it’s about sustaining people. In this plenary session, Dr. Dana Crawford will lead participants on a journey into what it takes to lead with resilience, compassion, and purpose in complex environments. She will explore how leaders at every level can strengthen mental wellness, prevent burnout and compassion fatigue, and build organizational cultures where everyone feels safe, supported, and valued. 

This interactive session blends facilitated conversation with hands-on collaboration, giving participants the chance to reflect, share experiences, and co-create strategies they can bring back to their own organizations and systems. Attendees will leave with practical tools and renewed energy to foster thriving workplaces and communities. 

In this follow-up to Dr. Crawford’s plenary session, participants will have the opportunity to engage more deeply in discussions about the complexity of leadership in today’s context. 

As we move into FY2026, federal child care policy developments are reshaping the landscape for funding, regulation, and advocacy. This session will cover where things stand in Congress, including appropriations and the impacts of the newly enacted “One Big Beautiful Bill.” We’ll also look at recent executive actions and their implications. Finally, we’ll share how organizations and individuals can engage in federal policy—by staying informed and taking action. Whether you’re a seasoned advocate or new to the field, you’ll leave with tools to make a difference. 

What will it take to build a child care system that truly works for families, providers, businesses, and, most importantly, children? Last fall, 20 of the nation’s top experts in economics and child care convened in Omaha, Nebraska, to tackle this question head-on. Their conversation centered on five critical barriers that continue to hold the U.S. back from creating a comprehensive, sustainable child care system. 

In this session, panelists will unpack the newly released report from that gathering, sharing key insights, challenges, and points of consensus. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the economic and policy landscape and leave with a clearer picture of the bold solutions needed to move the field forward. 

When disaster strikes, child care is often the first system families depend on—and the first to be overlooked. Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) organizations are uniquely positioned to bridge that gap, yet their role in disaster preparedness and recovery is too often underrecognized. 

In this session, we’ll explore the intersection of disaster response, mental health, and community engagement. Through real-world stories and practical strategies, participants will discover how CCR&Rs can be woven into local disaster plans, strengthen community resilience, and serve as vital partners in both immediate response and long-term recovery. 

Leave equipped with insights and tools to position your agency as a leader in times of crisis, ensuring child care remains not just available, but a cornerstone of community resilience. 

What will it take to build a child care system that truly works for families, providers, businesses, and, most importantly, children? Last fall, 20 of the nation’s top experts in economics and child care convened in Omaha, Nebraska, to tackle this question head-on. Their conversation centered on five critical barriers that continue to hold the U.S. back from creating a comprehensive, sustainable child care system. 

In this session, panelists will unpack the newly released report from that gathering, sharing key insights, challenges, and points of consensus. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the economic and policy landscape and leave with a clearer picture of the bold solutions needed to move the field forward.